This is the result of a joint venture between Hermès and Wally, to develop a new type of motor yacht for the optimum art of living on the high seas. The exclusive Parisian house of fashion and the iconic Monaco yacht brand were both fully involved in all aspects of the conception and design.

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès said: “When we met, in autumn 2007, Luca Bassani Antivari, President of Wally had thought about asking Hermès to accessorize the interior of one of his boats. I was impressed by the daring of his projects. My instinct was to get on board with him and go and seek out new territories in yacht design, but I had no interest in speed.”

Antivari continued: “What I’ve always liked about Hermès, aside from its intrinsic quality, is its audacity and radicalism; its desire to go beyond trends, to make no compromises and to maintain the authenticity of the house. Wally shares the same values, ‘Hermès-on-Land’, ‘Wally-on-Sea’: inevitably our paths had to cross.”

The concept was to blend common values of both brands to create the first yacht of its kind that offers an unparalleled living space, developed to give unsurpassed comfort, while creating something so unique and utterly desirable. To bring life to this concept, a top notch team was assembled with specialties in design, engineering, and naval architecture. The Norwegian Ramform hull characterized by exceptional and unprecedented stability was chosen by Antivari, who marveled at the volume and space. It was the ideal choice to be adapted to the WHY 58x38 project.

Certain innovations were borrowed from the world of mega yachts: patios that generously flood the interior with natural light, a 25 metre-long swimming pool, and a 36 metre aft deck beach. True to form, the WHY 58x38 offers comfort, privacy, stability, space, independence and sustainability.

WHY incorporated photovoltaic panels on the glass hull sides and roof openings that equal almost 900 square metres, which covers most of the boat’s auxiliary system needs. “We are very interested in creating a yacht that will have a low environmental impact”, says Dumas. “Its relationship with the sea must be respectful and easy. WHY intends to offer a new way of moving over water by creating an innovative way of managing and recycling its sources and uses of energy.”

“If you want to go totally ecological, the only solution is sailing. The reality is that today, 90% of the market is powerboats,” echoes Antivari. “Our aim is to reduce diesel consumption per year and per yacht: 20 to 30% for propulsion and 40 to 50% for generation.” In comparison to a yacht of the same size, WHY 58x38 has been conceived to save up to 200 tons of diesel per year.